SUMMARY
Malicious persons are leveraging the recent natural disasters to bait unsuspecting users into Email scams, Fake Anti-virus scams, and Phishing attacks.

DATE & SEQUENCE
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 | Alert2011-1

DETAILS
Natural Disaster (Mississippi Flooding, Southeast Tornadoes) Email Scams, Fake Antivirus, and Phishing Attack Warning

College Community be aware of bad actors that are looking to leverage the recent natural disasters to bait unsuspecting users into donating money to bogus charities, stealing personal information such as credit card numbers, or installing malicious software on pc’s. Exercise caution when you receive emails that contain links or attachments that may take you to a malicious website. Fake anti-virus scams typically come in the form of a popup on your computer asking for credit card numbers or other private information.

SEVERITY: “Low”
The Information Security Office issues advisories to inform Student, Faculty, and Staff about a potential or actual threats with this alert, announcing the severity as “High”, “Medium” or “Low” threat.

AFFECTED PERSONS
• Email users
• Computer users including mobile devices

HOW YOU CAN HELP
• Do not click on links or open attachments from unsolicited emails
• Keep anti-virus signatures up to date
• Review the FTC’s Charity Checklist
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel01.shtm
• Review the BBB National Charity Report Index
http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/

LEARN MORE
• Avoiding Phishing Attacks
http://it.cofc.edu/security/phishing/index.php
• Antivirus Information
http://it.cofc.edu/security/antivirus/index.php
• Fake Anti-virus
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/security-news-trends/security-trends/fake-antivirus.aspx
• Contact InformationSecurity@cofc.edu; helpdesk@cofc.edu or call the Helpdesk 953-3375 with any questions.

Never Share or Give Someone Your PASSWORD

VR,

Ken

Ken Beasley, MSIAE
Information Security Officer
College of Charleston
843-953-3691
beasleykk@cofc.edu